In a groundbreaking move to address the burgeoning skills gap within India's manufacturing sector, Cisco, the global leader in networking and security, has joined forces with Rockwell Automation. Together, they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the ‘Digital Skills for Industry’ programme, aimed at equipping India’s workforce with essential digital skills to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
This innovative programme seeks to address a critical issue: the growing shortage of skilled talent in India’s manufacturing industry. By combining curriculums in Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT), the initiative will provide training in crucial fields such as cybersecurity, networking, Internet of Things (IoT), data science, artificial intelligence (AI), programming, and automation technologies. The overarching goal is to enhance workforce productivity, attract fresh talent, accelerate career growth, and bridge the global digital divide.
India's ambition to export goods worth $1 trillion by 2030 underscores its strategic aim to establish itself as a dominant manufacturing hub. However, a recent Team Lease report highlights that a significant barrier to this progress is the shortage of skilled professionals. By FY 2027-28, while the electronics manufacturing sector is set to generate 12 million new jobs, an alarming 10 million skilled workers will still be needed. To maintain global competitiveness and ensure the efficiency of its manufacturing ecosystem, India must bridge this skills gap.
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In response, industry leaders are ramping up investment in operational technology, alongside initiatives for workforce upskilling. This collaboration between Cisco and Rockwell Automation is part of a broader effort to close the digital skills gap across the Asia-Pacific region, particularly within the manufacturing sector. Their joint commitment, initiated in July 2024, includes a wide range of social impact programmes, including the highly successful Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad). In India alone, NetAcad has trained over 2.2 million students, partnering with educational institutions and industry leaders to deliver courses in cutting-edge fields like networking, programming, and cybersecurity.
"As we navigate the digital-first era, industries that lack the right talent risk falling behind. This transformation, driven by AI and emerging technologies, is particularly pivotal for the manufacturing sector," said Daisy Chittilapilly, President of Cisco India & SAARC. "We are thrilled to partner with Rockwell Automation to help build a future-ready workforce that will unlock new possibilities through digital technologies, ultimately creating a smarter and more competitive manufacturing environment."
Meanwhile, Rockwell Automation highlights the critical role that workforce upskilling will play in India’s manufacturing sector. According to Dilip Sawhney, Managing Director of Rockwell Automation India, the country’s manufacturing sector is on the cusp of a transformative phase, driven by technological advancements. "The need for upskilling and reskilling has never been more urgent," he remarked. "Our 9th annual State of Smart Manufacturing report has identified 'change management' as the top workforce challenge for 2024, underscoring the importance of human capital in the successful adoption of smart manufacturing technologies."
Recognising the growing need for skilled professionals in automation technologies, Rockwell Automation is offering a range of training solutions tailored to both industry and academia. These courses, available in virtual or instructor-led formats, focus on industry-relevant skills that can be applied directly on the plant floor or in educational settings. By providing these training resources, Rockwell aims to help enterprises upskill their workers and prepare them for the future of smart manufacturing.
“Simply hiring new workers is not enough,” added Sawhney. “Strategic investments in upskilling and reskilling initiatives are essential. These programmes must empower employees with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilise emerging technologies. By fostering a dynamic talent ecosystem, we can help realise India’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse, ready to compete on the world stage.”
This collaboration between Cisco and Rockwell Automation is a crucial step towards ensuring India’s manufacturing sector is not only prepared for the future but equipped to thrive in an increasingly digitalised global economy. As the nation works towards its ambitious economic goals, partnerships like these are vital to building the skilled workforce necessary to achieve them.
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